Page 6 - Chapter 1: How Geographers Look at the World

DIAGRAM STUDY

The Global Grid

Lines of Latitude Lines of Longitude The Global Grid
North Pole North Pole North Pole

Arctic Circle Arctic Circle

Tropic of Cancer
Tropic of Cancer
E
E E E E
40 E E E 160 180
60 80 100 120 140
Equator Tropic of Capricorn
Equator
Tropic of Capricorn

South Pole South Pole South Pole

2. Applying Geography Skills Approximate the
absolute location of the state of Florida. Explain
1. Interpreting Diagrams Between which lines of how you determined the answer.
latitude is the Arctic Circle located?

Places and Regions functional region is a central place and the sur-
rounding area linked to it, for example, by a high-
A place is a particular space with physical and
way system. Metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles
human meaning. Every place on Earth has its own
and Tokyo are functional regions. A perceptual
unique characteristics, determined by the surround-
region is defined by popular feelings and images
ing environment and the people who live there. One
rather than by objective data. For, example, the term
task of geographers is to understand and explain how
“heartland” refers to a central area in which tradi-
places are similar to and different from one another. To
tional values are believed to predominate.
interpret the earth’s complexity, geographers often
group places into regions, or areas united by specific
factors. The defining factors of a region may be phys- Physical Systems
ical, such as soil type, vegetation, river systems, and
In their work geographers analyze how certain
climate. A region may also have human factors
natural phenomena, such as volcanoes, hurricanes,
that help define it. These may include language,
and floods, shape the earth’s surface. The earth’s
religion, cultural traditions, forms of government, and
systems are endlessly fascinating.
trade networks.
Geographers identify three types of regions: for-
mal, functional, and perceptual. A formal, or uni- “ Every astronaut loves to take pictures of
form, region is defined by a common characteristic, the Earth. To me, that’s the best part of
such as a product produced there. The Corn Belt— flying in space.
the Iowa-Illinois area in the United States—is a ”
Rick Searfoss, quoted in “Geographica,”
formal region because corn is its major crop. A National Geographic, November 1996
Chapter 1 21